Monthly Archives: January 2022

Scripture Notes – Sunday 30th January 2022

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They were astonished by the gracious words that came from his lips

Welcome

The lectionary divides Luke 4:14-30 into two parts. Our Sunday Gospel is, therefore, the continuation of the scene in Nazareth, as imaginatively represented by Luke. Luke’s expansion of the story anticipates, in symbolic fashion, the inclusion of the Gentiles in the Gospel project. Welcoming the Gentiles was a real struggle, as may be seen from Acts 10:1-11:18 (the “conversion” of Cornelius) and from Galatians. The struggle may speak to us today, as we become aware of the individual and groups we exclude from the worshipping community.

The Readings

Some Inspiration

It is not forbidden to continue to reflect on the place of the Scriptures in our lives, precisely because last Sunday’s Gospel reading was Part I. This Sunday we have Part II of the Lucan scene in Nazareth. There are more resources here, including a rich collection of pastoral resources from the Council for the New Evangelisation (Rome). Click on the image below to access the PDF. The Synodal Pathways journey will indeed be fruitful if, and only if, we ground our participation in prayer and in the Word of God. The regeneration of faith can have no other genesis.

For some music, you could try the St Olaf Choir singing “The Word was God,” a setting of the Prologue of John. Very powerful.

Reading for Lent and Holy Week 2022

To buy a copy online, click on the image or go the Irish Messenger shop directly. NB: At the time of editing this email, their website seems to have been down.

In case it might be useful, my own reflections and homilies are regularly uploaded on my website. Click here.

Grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Kieran J. O’Mahony OSA

Scripture Notes – Sunday 23rd January 2022

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Jesus said, Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing

Sunday 3C is dedicated to the Word of God. Already in the Reformed tradition, Bible Sunday celebrates the importance of the Scriptures (usually on or near Reformation Sunday). Pope Francis established this Sunday in 2019, to mark the 16th centenary of the death of St Jerome, the brilliant, hard-working, holy and irascible bible scholar. More importantly, it serves to underline the place of the Scriptures in our lives as disciples of Jesus Christ.

The third Sunday in Ordinary Time is a suitable day because on this Sunday we start reading the Gospel for the year from the start. In 2022, this means we are reading from Luke: the opening dedication (1:1-4) and the opening scene of the ministry in the synagogue in Nazareth (4:14-21). The Nazareth story continues next Sunday with the remaining verses (4:21-30). Today’s reading contains the words: ‘This text is being fulfilled today even as you listen,’ something we aspire to every Sunday.

The Sunday of the Word of God presents an opportunity to reflect on the place of the Scriptures in our lives as individual believers and as part of the community of faith. There are plenty of resources: Vatican II documents; the publications of the Pontifical Biblical Commission (up-to-date position papers); the writings and reflections of Pope Francis. See alsoBible+, on my own website. Here are a few sample links:

This year, it becomes especially important because we are embarking on the substance of the synodal pathways. There are many dimensions to the regeneration of faith today. There is no doubt, however, that this regeneration can have no other genesis than in the Word of God.

The Readings

Some Inspiration

Lord, inspire me to read your Scriptures and to meditate upon them day and night. I beg you to give me real understanding of what I need, that I in turn may put its precepts into practice. Yet, I know that understanding and good intentions are worthless, unless rooted in your graceful love. So I ask that the words of Scripture may also be not just signs on a page, but channels of grace into my heart. Amen.

To buy a copy online, click on the image.

Grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Kieran J. O’Mahony OSA

Scripture Notes – Sunday 9th January 2022

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 ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on you.’

Welcome

From a calendar point of view, the Christmas season is over. Nevertheless, the continuous reading from Luke does not start until the third Sunday of the year (19 January 2022). We pause for an extended Epiphany season. This started with the Epiphany proper on the 6th of January. The following Sunday is dedicated to the Baptism of the Lord, also considered an epiphany. Not only that but the Sunday after that is dedicated to the Wedding Feast of Cana — yet another epiphany of sorts. These are rich feasts and the readings invite deep reflection. You may find the extra Gospel exploration (below) useful in that regard.

The Readings

Some inspiration

Contemporary Icons of the Baptism of Christ: clickhere. Very interesting evolution of the tradition — to be taken slowly!

I’ve just come across this website: Breaking open the Word. It brings together meditation, contemporary art and contemporary music, in an understated way.

You may like to sample an album of Winter Songs by Ola Gjeilo.

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord let face shine upon; may the Lord give you his peace.

Kieran J. O’Mahony OSA